Solenoid operated valve



sept. 1o, 1963 A. B. MARMO 3,103,612

SOLENOID OPERATED VALVE Filed Oct. 14, 1960 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Figa BY g ATT RNEY Sept. 10, A1963 4 Afa, MARMO 3,1035612A SOLENOID OPERATED VALVE Filed Oct. 14, 1960 2 SheelEs-Sheeil 2 4| 1NvENToR 2N 4 ANTHONY B MARMo Fig BY M7 5%? ATTORNEY 3,103,612 soLENoID oPEnA'rnn vALvu f l Anthony B. Marmo, Pompandeach, Fla., assigner'to u Ranco Incorporated, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ollio f i Filed Oct. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 62,578

3 Claims. (Cl. S11-178) The present invention relates to an improvement in solenoid operated liquid control valves in which a solenoid attracted armature actuates a valve member.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved solenoid operated liquid control valve in which an amature reciprocates in a liquid ijlled sleeve or the like for controlling a valve mechanism, the armature being shifted to a stop by the magnetic ilux of the solenoid, and means being provided for cushioning the movement of the armature as it approaches the stop to prevent undue shock and noise.' Y

More particularly, it is an object of the present inven rtion yto provide an improved`solenoid operated valve mechanism including a valve actuating armature which reciprocates between limits ina liquid Illed sleeve in response to the energization and deenergization ofthe solenoid, the travel of the armature in one direction being cushioned by a shock absorbing mechanism oom prising a ring-like member loosely surrounding the armature and having a close sliding fit with the inside walls of the sleeve, so 'that liquidmay pass freely between the rin'g and armature but is restricted in passing between the ring and sleeve walls,`the armature having two Aspaced abutments, one of which is an annular shoulder, between whichthe ring is loosely :disposed so thatl when the armature 'moves in opposite directions its initial travel is independent of the ring and upon engagement of the member by .the annulary shoulder the passage between the ring `and armature is blocked byens gagement of the ring and shoulder, thereby trapping liquid in the end of the sleeve ltoward which the larmature is traveling which :cushions movement of` `the armatureas 1t approaches one of its limits. 1' y Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a ypreferred formthereof, reference bein-gmade lto the accompanying drawings wherein: f

FIG. l is a section terlvalve embodying the invention, the valve being shown 1n its closed positi alfviewof af solenoid operated wa ice n valve port `15 is formed. Port 15 includes an outlet passage 16 which leads tol outlet l2.

Port 15 is arranged to be closed by a valve member comprising a ldisc 2d, which may be formed of plastlc material such as kTeion (tetraethyluorine), and which lis suitably attached to a hollow bushing 21. Valve member 2d is moved to and from port 15 by operation of a dlexible diaphragm 22, which has a rim portion 22d pressed to an annular shoulder about the top of chamber 14 by a Icap 23 threaded on the top portion of body 10 so that the rim of the diaphragm provides a leal: proofseal between the walls of the valve body and the cap. The diaphragm likewise [divides (chamber 14 into lower and upper sections 14n and 14h,

respectively. Two rigid discs 24. and 25 are disposed onropposite sides of ldiaphragm 22 to lend rigidity thereto ft'or positively operating valve member Ztl. yAs seen in the drawings, a bushing 211 is provided centrally of the diaphragm and has shoulders between which discs 24 and Z5, as well as the interposed diaphragm 22, are

crimped by turning a portion lElla onto plate 25. Di-

. aphragm 22 has two concentric `convolutions @2b and 22C Iformed ytherein and convolution 22C cooperates with noid energized and FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of [the valve provided comprising a body 1t) having an inlet l11,v an

outletlZ, and a liquid passage between the inlet and outlet includesfan inlet chamber ,13 leading into an annular chamber ylill in which varcentrally located outlet 'disc 25 to form an annular passage 22d.

Diaphragm 22 moves disc 2d to and from port :15 by changes in pressure diiierential on opposite sides thereof, which differential is controlled by means including a bleedv opening 22e through the walll of convolution 22C to provide an inlet to annular passage Qd. A

v channel 221 is lformed in `diaphragm 22, from bleed opening 22e and extends radially thereof and beyond the edge of plate 25 to provide an outlet from passage 22d into the upper chamber Mb. The purpose of this outlet rfluid passage arrangement is to provide a controlled leakage of liquid' between the lower and upper sections 14a, 14h respectively, as is described more fully hereinafter. It is to be understood that the novel features of the bleed passage arrangements just describedvis the subjectof my ico-pending patent application, Ser. No. 62,6189, tiled October 14,1960. l v

Bushing 21 vhas'an upwardlyvprojecting stem portion 2lb through which axial bore 121e is yformed, the `diameter of which is substantially greater than bleed opening 22e so that the rate of liquid discharge through the bore is greater than the rate of liquid passage through bleed openingv 22e and passage 22d.` 'The upper. end of stem'lb forms a valve seat or port 21d which controls the E.tlow olf liquids downwardly through bore 21e and is hereinafter referred toas the pilot port. This pilot port is arranged to be controlled by a pilot valve member 26which is moved to'and from the pilot port by an armature 27 which is actuated by a solenoid 218, as is described more fully hereinafter.

Armature 27 is enclosed in a sleeve Z9 of non-mag- Solenoid 28 includes an iron` frame 35'to provide a suitable flux path-such that when the solenoid is energi'zed armature 27,is attracted againstfthe bottom surface of plug 3,1 which forms Ia limiting stop. Frame 35 is attached to 'plug 3d by a nuti'36 threaded on a stem which projects upwardly from plug 31 through an opening in the Iframe. The armature is non-circular, preferably hexagonal, rto permit free passage of liquid therearound and-to minimize friction with .the sleeve as it reciprocates.

Y .(Pilot valve member .26

able rubber-like material which is retained in an enlarged is preferably formed of suitsection Zlb in an axial opening 27a through armature 2,7. The armature is yieldingly urged to move valve member 26 to port 21d by a coil spring 37 centered in opening 27a by a pin portion 311m depending from rthe bottom surface of plug 31 and a similar pin 2164i for-med yon the upper surface of the pilot valve member..

insidesurface of ringil is'relatively widely spaced armature 27` to 'provide relatively free ilow ofliquid therebetween and is centered relative to the armature by inwardly projecting lugs 41a.. To accommodate ex-Y pansion of ring 41, which may occur in the event of wide changes in temperature of the liquid surrounding Liquid control valves of the general type described,- l'

the armature, etc., slots 4J1b are 'formed about the outer" periphery of the ring. These slots should be vsomewhat limited in cross-sectional area so as'to present rrela-`v tively substantial restriction against the'ilow of liquid therethrough. As is most clearly seen in FIG. 6,

the width of ring 40\ is ysuich that wheny the two, rings are abutting one another, as when` armature 2X7 is moved upwardly, the passage opening formed between the armainto section l14b and sleeve 29 through bleed opening 'Y 22e, passage 22d and channel 221 to the upper .side of diaphragm 2v2. If pilot port 21d is closed, liquid cannot iiow through opening 21C into outlet passage 16, and consequently the pressure of theliquid on the upper side of diaphragm 25 is greater than the pressure on the lower side,.s'ince the portion of the lower side exposed to port`15 is at alower pressure and rvalve member J2l) is iirmly 'pressed' to port 15. To remove valve member 20 from valve port'1'5, solenoid 28 is Venengized which raises armature 27 to plug 3-1 which removes valve member 216 from pilot port 21d which permits liquid tov ilow fromthe `upperside of diaphragm V2i2 to outlet `12 at a greater rate,y thanliquid enters chamber section 714th, bleedy opening 22e, etc., 'consequently the pressure above diaphragm Z2 is reduced below that on .the lower side which causes the incoming liquidi pressure on the diaphragm to move valve member 20 from its port, as seen in FIG. 7.` /In many cases the valve is employed :in inhabited quarters where it is desirable that there be a minimum of noise, such as for controlling the flow of iuid through heating or cooling radiators in dwellings or buildings. Heretofore, valves of the general arv rangement described have-- been objectionable in that. YVwhen the valve is energized the armature striking `its upper stop causes a sharp' and unpleasant noise. My invention relates to an improve-darmature structure and movement dampener by which this objectionable noise is eliminated, and intheform shown the armature is hexagonal incross section toY permit Ifree passage of liquid trom yone .end of sleeve 29 tothe other as the armature moves in the sleeve.` The upper vend of armature 27. is reducedin diameter to provide an appreciable annular space between the inside walls ofv sleeve 29 and this portion of theY armature, and, in addition forms Yan upwardly facing annular shoulder 27C. A hexagonal cap Yis press iitted to the upper end ofthe reduced portion of the armature to provide a downwardly facing annular shoulder Zd. In the form of the invention shown, a fring 44, preferably of copper, is ydisposed about the upl perend of armature 27 adjacent to the band 27a! to provide a shading ring to reduce or substantially eliminate hurmningnoises. yThis expedient is old and well known in the art, and does not necessarily :form a part of the'invention. f

Disposed between shoulders 27C and 27d are two an'- nular ringsy 40 Vand 41, which arekpreferably made of a non-corroding and relatively pliable material, such as Teilon (tetraethylfluorine) or nylon. The material forrning ming 40 is approximately square iny cross-section and as shown in FIG. it has a press :t with the armature to block any flow of liquid therebetween and a rela' tively loose slit with .the inside walls of sleeve 29; :Ring 41 has a relatively close iit with the inside walls of sleeve 29 as shown in FIG. 4 and has, a'tendency to remain in frictional engagement therewith althoughit may slide longitudinally in the sleeve under the action of armature Z7, as described more fully hereinafter. The major ture and the inside of ring 41' is closed or Asubstantially closed by ring I40 abutting ring 41. 1

The operation of the damper structure is as described hereinafter.

With solenoid Z8 vdeenergized, armature 2.7 is in its v lower position with pilot valve' member 126 closing pilot port 21d, ring 41 against shoulder 27d, and ring 40 against shoulder 27C. In FIG. 1 it Y'will be seen that a substantial space exists between the .two rings, but this-y space should be slightly less than the stroke of thearmature.

rapidly drawn upwardly yto remove valvemember Z6 from the pilot port, and liquid above the armature iiows downwardly relatively freely through the spacesv between the armature and ring 41 and' between ring 40. and sleeve .'29, as shown in FIG. 2.. `Slightly before rthe top ofthe rarmature engages plug 311,`ring 40 engages the bottom side of ring 41, as shown in FIG. `6r, thereby vsubstantially blocking'thepassager of liquid through the spaces between the armature and r-ing k41 and between -ring 40 and sleeve 29. The liquid thus trapped must pass When solenoid 28`ris deenergized, armature 27 immedik Y ately moves from plug 31' downwardly, carrying ring 4d k .therewith which separates from ringV 41, which is retained` in frictional engagement with the inside wall of sleeve'29, and after some downward movement of the armature, shoulder 27d engages ring '41 and moves it downwardly. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that ring 41 does not seal against shoulder 27d because the dimension across the flats of the hexagonal cap is less than the inside diameter of ring 41, so that liquid Hows freely into the upper portion vofsleeve 29 through the openings 41d. VThe space between ring 40 and shoulder 27d is suchrthat when the armature is in its lowermost position, the space between the rings is somewhat less than the stroke of the armature. It will be seen 'i pounding or hammeringnoises of the armatureare elin'i-r inated, and also assures anl unrestrained motion of the armature to initiate valve closing. y v l if. It will be understood that while I have shown butone form of the invention, kother forms, modications and adaptations could be made, all falling withinthe scope ofthe claims which follow.

When solenoid `28' lis energized armature Q7 isr due to its frictionalengagerment with the sides of sleeve29, 'and shoulderZHc cary, vries ring 40 upwardly against ring 41, causing the latter to then slidealong sleeve 2'9' until the armature-,engages \I claim:

1. Actuating means ott the character described comprising a housing including a sleeve portion open at one end to said housing and closed'at the opposite end, an armature non-circular in cross-sectional configuration and reciprocable in said sleeve between limits, a solenoid associated with said sleeve for actuating said armature, an annular member surrounding said armature and spaced appreciably therefrom to form a fluid passage from one side of said member to the other and having a sliding frictional fit with the inside walls of the said sleeve, means forming an annular shoulder about said armature and spaced fromthe walls of said sleeve to provide a fluid passage .therebetween and having a relatively close fit with said armature to prevent an appreciable passage of fluid therebetween, said annular shoulder adapted to abut and move said annular member in one `direction and to substantially close the iiuid passage through said annular member during such movement, and means forming a lost motion connection between `said armature and said annular member whereby when said armature moves in a direction to separate said annular shoulder from-said an-V open at one end to said housing and closed at the oppo= site end, an armature reciprocable in said sleeve between first and second limits, a solenoid associated with said sleeve for actuating said armature, a first annular member loosely surrounding said armature and having a sliding friction fit with the inside wall of said sleeve, a second annular member surrounding said armature and movable axially therewith relative to said first annular member, said second annular member being adapted to engage and move said first annular member during movement of said armature from one of said limits to the other, said annular members having fluid passages formed thereabout and said members being so aligned that when engaging one another at least one of said fluid passages is substantially closed, said first annular member being held by said friction fit against movement with said second memberduring initial return movement of said armature from said other limit toward said one limit, and means providing a lost motion connection between said armature and said rst member, said means being operative on said first member to overcome said friction fit and move said first member with said armature after said initial return movement so that when said armature is in said one position said first and second annular members laire spaced apart a distance less than the distance of movement of said armature between said limits.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. ACTUATING MEANS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A HOUSING INCLUDING A SLEEVE PORTION OPEN AT ONE END TO SAID HOUSING AND CLOSED AT THE OPPOSITE END, AN ARMATURE NON-CIRCULAR IN CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AND RECIPROCABLE IN SAID SLEEVE BETWEEN LIMITS, A SOLENOID ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SLEEVE FOR ACTUATING SAID ARMATURE, AN ANNULAR MEMBER SURROUNDING SAID ARMATURE AND SPACED APPRECIABLY THEREFROM TO FORM A FLUID PASSAGE FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID MEMBER TO THE OTHER AND HAVING A SLIDING FRICTIONAL FIT WITH THE INSIDE WALLS OF THE SAID SLEEVE, MEANS FORMING AN ANNULAR SHOULDER ABOUT SAID ARMATURE AND SPACED FROM THE WALLS OF SAID SLEEVE TO PROVIDE A FLUID PASSAGE THEREBETWEEN AND HAVING A RELATIVELY CLOSE FIT WITH SAID ARMATURE TO PREVENT AN APPRECIABLE PASSAGE OF FLUID THEREBETWEEN, SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER ADAPTED TO ABUT AND MOVE SAID ANNULAR MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION AND TO SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSE THE FLUID PASSAGE THROUGH SAID ANNULAR MEMBER DURING SUCH MOVEMENT, AND MEANS FORMING A LOST MOTION CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID ARMATURE AND SAID ANNULAR MEMBER WHEREBY WHEN SAID ARMATURE MOVES IN A DIRECTION TO SEPARATE SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER FROM SAID ANNULAR MEMBER THE LATTER IS HELD STATIONARY BY SAID FRICTIONAL FIT UNTIL SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER IS SPACED THEREFROM A DISTANCE LESS THAN THE STROKE OF SAID ARMATURE. 